Turkey raised their game after a goalless draw with Sweden, and qualified with a 2-0 defeat of Belgium in the last group match which saw one of the co-hosts leave their own party just as it was getting started.

Holland, the other nation staging Euro 2000, looked set to join them judging by early form. They needed a dubious late penalty to beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in their opener, but a 3-0 victory over Denmark revived their campaign.

France were more impressive early on, though both teams had already qualified before they met in Amsterdam.

It seemed a forerunner for the final and Holland must have hoped so after twice coming from behind to beat the French 3-2.

England went into Euro 2000 with coach Kevin Keegan seemingly the only man touting them as possible winners.

Heads turned when they went 2-0 up against Portugal inside 20 minutes of their first match, but the talented Portuguese responded well.

Luis Figo - one of the players of the tournament - started the comeback with a stunning 30-yard drive and Portugal eventually won 3-2.

Germany held Romania 1-1 when defeat looked more likely, and much hinged on their clash with old rivals England.

But Romania equalised early in the second half and earned a penalty with just two minutes to go. Ioan Viorel Ganea duly scored and Romania progressed along with Portugal, who thrashed Germany 3-0 to complete their humiliation.

Spain and Yugoslavia completed the quarter-finals line-up, though that hardly begins to tell the story.

Yugoslavia had a major scare when newcomers Slovenia raced into a 3-0 lead in their opening clash, before fighting back to claim a point.

They were on the wrong end of a thrilling recovery against Spain in the decider as they led 3-2 with injury time approaching.

Spain, who needed victory to progress at the expense of Norway, scored two late goals to bounce back in a thriller.

The Spaniards sensed they could fulfil their potential, but France provided the quarter-final opposition.

The outstanding Zinedine Zidane sent France ahead with a great free-kick, though Spain levelled through Gaizka Mendieta.

Youri Djorkaeff restored the French lead before half-time and that was how it stayed until Spain were awarded a last-minute penalty. Raul failed to convert, and Spanish hopes were dashed.

Neighbours Portugal were also long overdue tournament success and a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Turkey put them up against France.

Italy looked convincing winners over Romania as they reached the semis, but their next opponents Holland sent a warning to the whole of Europe as Patrick Kluivert scored three in a 6-1 demolition of Yugoslavia.

Holland seemed destined to go all the way, but Italy stood firm.

The Dutch missed two penalties in normal time and three more in a shoot-out after extra time failed to reap a golden goal. Goalkeeper Francesco Toldo was Italy's hero as his save put them in the final.

In the other semi, France and Portugal played out a 1-1 draw in normal time, with a golden goal required to settle matters.